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Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Syndrome, ACT 165 legislation was enacted on March 21, 2006. AN ACT to amend 48.67, 49.155 (1d) (a) and 49.45 (44) (intro.); and to create 46.515 (4) (b) 3., 48.982 (2m) (d), 121.02 (1) (L) 6. and 253.15 of the statutes; relating to: the provision of information regarding shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies to the parents of newborn infants, training regarding shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies for day care providers, and instruction regarding shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies for middle school and high school pupils; the identification of, and documentation of certain information concerning, shaken and impacted babies; granting rule−making authority; and making an appropriation.

The content of the act is available at: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2005/related/acts/165. This state law includes several Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) prevention training requirements that impact local school districts. Information and resources to assist school districts in meeting the requirements of the Prevent Violence Against Children Act of 2005 offers many options.

The first training requirement applies to all school districts. According to state statutes [§121.02(1)(L)6, Wis. Stats.] school boards must provide pupils with the instruction described in §253.15 (5) on shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies in one of grades 5 to 8 and in one of grades 10 to 12. Since the inception of the law, training to educators in various programs has taken place. The names of the teachers trained are submitted as Approved SBS Trainers to the Child Care Information Center (CCIC) of WI are available at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccic/pdf/sbs/sbs-trainers.pdf.

SBS prevention training may be provided by a number of educators or trained experts, for example:

Family and Consumer Sciences teachers

Health Education teachers

Additional resources available for curriculum, instruction, and assessment are available:

The second SBS prevention training requirement takes place in the Family and Consumer Sciences course, Assistant Child Care Teacher. Because students earn certification as child care assistants and will work in licensed centers, the law applies to those students earning high school credit in a work-based learning program. Teachers of these courses must incorporate the approved curriculum into the Assistant Child Care Teacher Course.

The third training requirement applies to those school districts that operate child care programs. Any person who provides care and supervision to children under age five in a child care setting operated by a school district or licensed as a group child care center, family child care center, or day camp must receive training in Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention. This includes all providers, employees, substitutes, volunteers, and emergency back-up providers. In order to be in compliance with this portion of the law, new employees may complete an interim training on Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention and then complete the full approved course within six months from the date of hire. A list of agencies offering these courses is available on the Department of Children and Families website at: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccic/sbs-training.